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San Francisco, Calif., May 13, 2008—Sand County Foundation, in partnership with Sustainable Conservation and the California Farm Bureau Federation, seeks nominations for the 2008 Leopold Conservation Award. The Award recognizes California farmers and ranchers who demonstrate outstanding stewardship and sustainable management of natural resources, and includes $10,000 from the Foundation. The Leopold Conservation Award is presented in honor of famed conservationist and author Aldo Leopold, who called for an ethical relationship between people and the land they own and manage.

"The Leopold Conservation Award is the single most important recognition that our farming operation has received in our 28-year history," said last year's winner, Craig McNamara, of Winters, Calif. "We are the stewards of this incredible land, and I think it is incumbent upon us to share that with our fellow citizens and to use it as a teaching model and an open-door classroom."

"The Leopold Conservation Award showcases farmers and ranchers who work every day to create a future that is both environmentally and economically sustainable," said Ashley Boren, Executive Director of Sustainable Conservation.

Nominations are considered in two categories: Crops and Livestock. The judges will recognize a finalist in each category, and the 2008 Leopold Conservation Award winner will be announced on December 8, 2008 at the California Farm Bureau Federation Annual Meeting in Burlingame, Calif. The deadline for nominations is July 9, 2008.

"California farmers and ranchers take pride in the care they take for natural resources while providing food, fiber and flowers for people," said Doug Mosebar, president of the California Farm Bureau Federation. " The Leopold Conservation Award highlights outstanding examples of the stewardship that family farmers and ranchers contribute every day."

"California's environmental leadership extends into the orchards, fields and rangelands where farmers and ranchers work day to day to protect the state's natural beauty and vitality," said Dr. Brent Haglund, Sand County Foundation President. "We're extremely proud to honor their efforts through this award."

Sand County Foundation presents Leopold Conservation Awards in seven states. In California, the award is presented in partnership with Sustainable Conservation and the California Farm Bureau Federation. For more information, visit www.leopoldconservationaward.org, email suscon@suscon.org or call (415) 977-0380.

ABOUT SAND COUNTY FOUNDATION
Sand County Foundation is a private, non-profit conservation organization dedicated to working with private landowners to improve habitat on their land. In the spirit of Aldo Leopold, author of A Sand County Almanac, the Foundation encourages the exercise of private responsibility in the pursuit of improved land health. www.sandcounty.net

ABOUT SUSTAINABLE CONSERVATION
Sustainable Conservation partners with business, agriculture, and government to find practical ways that the private sector can protect clean air, clean water and healthy ecosystems. The independent nonprofit organization leads powerful collaborations that produce lasting solutions and sustain the vitality of both the economy and the environment in California. www.suscon.org

ABOUT CALIFORNIA FARM BUREAU
The California Farm Bureau Federation is California's largest farm organization. It works to protect family farms and ranches on behalf of nearly 92,000 members throughout California, including farm families and those who support the farming way of life. www.cfbf.com